Working with an elevator monitoring service is just one way to make your building’s elevators safer. Another option is to perform an elevator safety audit.
Are you preparing to have one performed for the first time? Let’s examine what to expect.
It Starts With a Basic Visual Inspection
At the beginning of a safety audit, an inspector will visually inspect an elevator from every possible angle. Inspection protocols call for them to look at the following:
- The interiors of cars
- Doors
- Landing areas
- Walls
- Shafts
An inspector will get more up close and personal with an elevator later. However, they may pinpoint potential problems with one without doing too much digging around, as a visual inspection might uncover apparent issues.
It Involves Testing Every Aspect of an Elevator
Standard audit procedures require inspectors to test all the systems that keep elevators running. For example, they will open and close doors to ensure they are working correctly and are aligned.
They will also test the following aspects for signs of trouble:
- Mechanical components
- Electrical systems
- Safety devices
They will even endure the painstaking process of inspecting an elevator on every floor to make sure it’s level and stops in the right place. They will carry out load testing as well to test an elevator’s ability to transport a certain amount of weight.
An inspector will review safety checklists and consider risk assessments as they do this. Each step scrutinizes an elevator’s overall safety.
It Includes Reviewing Maintenance Records
An inspector conducting an audit will examine more than just an elevator. They will also typically request its maintenance records.
While sifting through them, they will:
- Determine whether it has gone through enough preventative maintenance
- Identify ongoing issues and suggest possible fixes
- Point out problem areas where improvements should be made
They also usually oversee a compliance assessment, which helps them decide whether an elevator meets the necessary compliance standards. The future of elevators depends on you keeping them current and in constant compliance with ASME A17.1, the safety code for elevators and escalators in the U.S.
It Concludes With the Delivery of a Comprehensive Report
At the end of an elevator safety audit, an inspector will provide a copy of a report. It will detail:
- Possible concerns and their severity
- Maintenance, repair, and replacement recommendations for parts
- Information on compliance-related issues
This report will allow you to improve your building’s elevators and highlight hidden problems that you might not notice without the assistance of a certified inspector.
Ready To Make Your Building’s Elevators Safer? See How We Can Help
By scheduling an elevator safety audit, you will ensure that your building meets the latest office or apartment building elevator requirements. You will also receive additional ideas on enhancing their safety even further.
Installing two-way video monitoring in your elevators with assistance from ELEVATE Monitoring will make them safer than ever before. Contact us at 877-990-9191 to hear why you should consider doing it and how it will help.
